Breeden up for re-election on Henry County board, continues search for economic development director

For Henry County board Vice-Chairman Kippy Breeden (R-Geneseo), there never seems to be a dull moment.

Even as she wages her re-election campaign in District 1, Breeden has also inherited the job of shepherding the county through some of its thorniest issues.

Breeden recently pronounced the board “back to square one” in its search for a new economic development director after a leading candidate withdrew his name from consideration late in the process following at least three different interviews.

“We don’t expect to have a director until next year,” Breeden told the Dispatch-Argus following a closed-door session where she plotted strategy with other board members. She added the county will soon commence “re-advertising” the position.

While Breeden and other board members have declined to identify the one-time leading candidate, there seems to be little doubt that the post left vacant by Kathleen Repass’ resignation in February 2016 could linger into yet another year.

Breeden later told board member Kathy Nelson (R-Geneseo) there was no pool of candidates to draw from going forward.

The Star Courier also reported Breeden requested at the same meeting that the board authorize a letter of support for Local Workforce Innovation Area 13′s grant application for Life Skills Re-entry Centers and local workforce areas. The $500,000 grant is earmarked for the counties of Henry, Mercer and Rock Island.

A travel agent by trade, Breeden was elected vice chairman in 2014 after being nominated by Republican Karen Urick. She and her husband, Mark, reside in Geneseo.

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